Competencies for the Paramedic Program

The Paramedic student candidate should be able to:

  1. list the signs and symptoms of stroke
  2. list the BLS treatment for an infant, child, or adult in cardiac arrest
  3. list the normal vital signs (blood pressures, pulse rates, and respiratory rates) for the adult, child, and infant
  4. list the signs and symptoms of these COPD diseases:
    • emphysema
    • chronic bronchitis
  5. describe the function of the pulse oximeter
  6. list the treatment for a rattlesnake bite
  7. define Kussmaul’s breathing pattern
  8. describe the features of the BVM
  9. list the treatment for an open chest wound
  10. list the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction caused by an insect sting
  11. list the descending order of the divisions of the spine
  12. list causes of an allergic reaction
  13. list the treatment for a severe asthma attack
  14. list the ways in which an allergen can enter the body
  15. describe the classification, mechanism of action, and initial doses of:
    • aspirin
    • glucose
    • activated charcoal
    • nitroglycerin
    • epinephrine
    • albuterol
  16. identify the function of the KED
  17. define body mechanics
  18. identify the risk factors associated with adult drowning
  19. list the parts of the:
    • skull
    • pelvis
  20. list the treatment for a seizure
  21. list the indications for rapid extrication
  22. identify the signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion for an adult, child, and infant
  23. define transient ischemic attack
  24. list the conditions likely found on a medical identification bracelet
  25. identify the risk factors associated with suicide
  26. list the signs and symptoms of inadequate breathing for an infant, child, and adult
  27. list the stages of death and dying
  28. list treatment for treatment of hypoperfusion for an adult, child, and infant
  29. list common medical disorders/conditions found in children and the elderly
  30. define the function of the gallbladder
  31. describe the function of platelets and white blood cells
  32. describe the log roll
  33. describe management for suspected child abuse
  34. define SIDS
  35. list the treatment for an amputated arm
  36. list the modes of transmission associated with AIDS
  37. define Advance Directive
  38. list the treatment for an infant, child, and adult with a complete airway obstruction
  39. define Medical Director
  40. define diastolic blood pressure
  41. describe the difficulty in using a BVM
  42. define triage
  43. calculate the percentage of a thermal burn, based on the rule of nines, for an infant, child, and adult
  44. list the signs and symptoms of croup, bronchiolitis, and epiglottitis
  45. list the treatment for an open fracture of the leg
  46. list the treatment for a thermal burn injury
  47. identify the EMT’s priority at a hazardous materials incident
  48. describe the function of the left ventricle
  49. list the signs and symptoms of a closed head injury
  50. describe the purpose of the AED
  51. list the characteristics of extrication and rescue
  52. select the patient among others involved in a motor vehicle crash, to receive the highest priority for treatment
  53. describe how an EMT should deal with his/her strong emotional reactions to the death of another first responder
  54. list the causes of hypoxia
  55. list the treatment for a closed fracture of the arm
  56. list the treatment for a closed chest injury
  57. describe the assessment of a closed chest injury
  58. list the range of oxygen concentration percentage delivered by a nasal cannula at 1 to 6 liters per minute
  59. define paradoxical chest wall motion
  60. define critical burn injury
  61. list the treatment for an impaled object in the hand
  62. define abandonment
  63. identify components of the primary survey, secondary survey, and reassessment
  64. list causes of JVD
  65. describe how to perform encircling chest compressions
  66. describe the function of the epiglottis
  67. list common causes of hypovolemic shock in an adult and child
  68. identify what each letter in the APGAR scoring system represents
  69. describe the function of the prehospital care report
  70. list the causes of hypoglycemia
  71. define trimester
  72. identify what each letter in the AVPU memory aid represents
  73. list the treatment for a limb presentation during delivery
  74. list the indications for an occlusive dressing
  75. define Good Samaritan laws
  76. define spontaneous abortion
  77. describe the function of the National Registry of EMTs
  78. list the treatment, including use of the AED, for an adult in cardiac arrest
  79. identify what each letter in the SLUDGEM memory aid represents
  80. list the signs and symptoms of abdominal pain in a child
  81. list the treatment for bleeding into the airway
  82. define systolic blood pressure
  83. list the treatment for cardiogenic chest pain
  84. describe how radiation affects loss of body heat
  85. describe how to administer:
    • aspirin
    • glucose
    • activated charcoal
    • nitroglycerin
    • epinephrine
    • albuterol
  86. define jaundice
  87. list the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
  88. list the treatment for hypoglycemia
  89. define implied consent
  90. describe airway management for an adult with a suspected spinal injury
  91. define stridor
  92. list the signs and symptoms of narcotic use
  93. describe the use of a nasopharyngeal airway
  94. describe the use of an oropharyngeal airway
  95. describe how to perform a patient refusal
  96. describe the function of the aorta
  97. list the treatment for an abdominal evisceration
  98. list the treatment for near-drowning
  99. define BSI precautions
  100. list the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy
  101. list the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia
  102. identify the most common cause of seizures in infants and children
  103. identify what each letter in the OPQRST memory aid represents
  104. list the range of oxygen concentration percentage delivered by a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute
  105. define avulsion
  106. describe the function of the autonomic nervous system
  107. list the equipment used in splinting
  108. list the treatment associated with splinting
  109. identify what each letter in the SAMPLE memory aid represents
  110. identify what each letter in the DCAP-BTLS memory aid represents
  111. define perfusion
  112. identify the location of the femoral artery
  113. list the side effects of:
    • epinephrine
    • albuterol
    • nitroglycerin
  114. describe the rationale for restraining and immobilizing an adult with threatening behavior
  115. identify where emergency vehicles are commonly involved in crashes
  116. define the Federal Communications Commission
  117. identify the devices used by special needs children and infants
  118. list the types of muscles found in the human body
  119. describe the potential risks of performing rescue breathing
  120. describe the second stage of labor
  121. list the components of scene size-up
  122. list the most common device used to suction an infant
  123. list the treatment for external bleeding
  124. list the steps for packaging an amputated hand
  125. list situations that require special reporting
  126. list the complications of delivery
  127. identify the most important assessment finding in a hypothermic patient
  128. describe the characteristics of extrication
  129. describe management for an unconscious adult with snoring respirations
  130. describe how to care for a newborn
  131. list the common medical disorders associated with geriatric patients
  132. describe the treatment for a patient in a postictal state
  133. list the treatment for an eye splashed with drain cleaner
  134. define pulmonary edema
  135. define precipitous delivery
  136. list the treatment for hyperthermia in an adult